# Military and emergency training in Southeast Europe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/military-and-emergency-training-in-southeast-europe
> Updated: 2026-10-01T10:17:53.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 4.

Military and emergency response training activities have been conducted across Southeast Europe, involving both international cooperation and domestic inter-service drills.

In mid-September, regional exercises were reported in Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. In Croatia, the Air Force practiced air-to-air refuelling with the German Air Force to improve NATO interoperability. Serbia conducted the ‘Pobednik 2026’ tactical exercise involving over 2,000 personnel and various modernized military equipment. Meanwhile, Montenegro and the Maine National Guard participated in the ‘Common Challenge 26’ exercise, focusing on search and rescue and aircraft crash response.

Later in the month, Croatia intensified its training cycles. The 2nd Mechanized Battalion ‘Gromovi’ of the Guards Mechanized Brigade conducted large-scale inter-service operations in Dalmatia. These maneuvers utilized Mi-171Sh helicopters and naval vessels to perform air and sea landings and urban operations. Additionally, 12 personnel completed intensive 72-hour SERE Level C training near Slunj.

In the civilian sector, the ‘Podravina 2026’ exercise in Rasinja tested the coordination of over 100 firefighters and emergency responders. This drill, involving 109 firefighters and 27 vehicles, simulated vehicle fires, road accidents, and search and rescue operations, integrating police, medical services, and the 112 Center. Simultaneously, the ‘Pesjanek 2026’ meeting in Prelog brought together civil protection forces from six counties to strengthen connectivity and disaster response near the Drava River.

In Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Internal Affairs organized the ‘Kozara 2026’ exercise to mark its Training Center’s 10th anniversary, focusing on the readiness of special units like the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit against terrorism. Concurrently, the Serbian Armed Forces continued ‘Pobednik 2026’ with military police practicing counter-sabotage, territory control, and drone countermeasures at the ‘Međa’ training ground.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-01: Specialized security and military units conduct tactical exercises

Specialized units in Republika Srpska and the Serbian Armed Forces are conducting major tactical exercises, ‘Kozara 2026’ and ‘Pobednik 2026’, to test readiness against terrorism and sabotage.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/specialized-security-and-military-units-conduct-tactical-exercises

### 2026-09-28: Croatia emergency services conduct regional coordination exercises

Emergency services in Croatia conducted major regional exercises, including the ‘Pesjanek 2026’ meeting in Prelog and the ‘Podravina 2026’ tactical drill in Rasinje, to improve multi-agency disaster response.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-emergency-services-conduct-regional-coordination-exercises

### 2026-09-26: Croatia conducts large-scale military and civil protection exercises

Croatia conducted extensive military and civil exercises, including large-scale inter-service training by the 'Gromovi' battalion and specialized SERE survival training to enhance NATO readiness.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-army-gromovi-battalion-conducts-major-inter-service-drills

### 2026-09-11: Regional military exercises underway in Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro

Military exercises are occurring across the region: Croatia and Germany are practicing air-to-air refuelling, Serbia is conducting the large-scale “Pobednik 2026” drill, and Montenegro is training in rescue ops

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-rafale-jets-conduct-air-to-air-refuelling-training-with-german-aircraft

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Cite as: Military and emergency training in Southeast Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/military-and-emergency-training-in-southeast-europe